I am a carry-on traveller. Yes, sometimes I am forced to check my luggage but it’s usually with exasperation and only if I have been on a shopping trip (like our last trip to the U.S.). Otherwise it’s just me and my bag, exploring the world.

Like everyone else, I like my comforts. There are certain things that are needed when you travel, especially if you are travelling long distances.

After my adventures (and in thinking of our upcoming travels), I finally thought to note down just what I take in my carry-on.

So here it is: These are the things that are always in my carry-on.

This is the bag I use to hold many of the items on this list. Smiggle is actually a stationary store in Australia geared toward little girls, but it’s where I found this awesome zippered bag. It’s perfect for travelling. It is just the right size and has great compartments just big enough to keep the bits and bobs sorted.

These are fantastic for travelling because they are dry wipes. When you wet them, they activate the Olay cleanser within making them perfect face wash towellettes.

I carry a few of these when I fly in a zip-lock bag (so they don’t get wet accidentally!) and then tucked into my Smiggles bag. At the end of a long flight, I wash my face with one of these brilliant inventions so that I am ready to face the world when I land.

I used to get really anxious before flying. I don’t know why, as it’s one of my favourite activities ever. Now I only get anxious when I am at the mercy of other people’s schedule.

Either way, I am prepared for what that anxiety does to my body. There is nothing worse than bad body odour in my opinion.

4. Water

I know this is a no brainer. And I know most airlines do their best but even despite their gallant efforts, I can never have enough water when I fly. I usually bring my own (empty) water carrier from home and fill it in the water fountains before boarding.

If I forget to bring a carrier, water is the one outrageous expense I am happy to pay at an airport. I usually buy the water in the sturdiest plastic I can find, so I can refill it repeatedly on my travels.

I LOVE this product. I discovered these Aroamas sticks at a market in Sydney but they are available now online. These days, I only wear perfume when the occasion fits. These aren’t liquid, but rather a stick – think scented non-sticky chapstick. With a really subtle scent, are perfect for travel (and are available in a variety of scents, even for men!).

I am amazed how often I use these when I travel. I much prefer using these than Antibacterial Liquid.

They come in handy for so many things: Cleaning your hands after filling your rental car with petrol; After dinner wipes on a plane; Assisting other travellers when their little ones get air sick… I find these things Indispensable.

With my iPhone loaded with relaxing music, I rely on my trusty Apple headphones. I once travelled with Bose headphones, but found that with the right music, the Apple headphones are just as good to block out screaming children and annoying schoolies.

Years ago, I discovered these from the Container Store in the U.S. for 99 cents each. I think I bought them as stocking stuffers for everyone in my life at the time. They are that good. Now, I’m happy to find them on Amazon.

They fit in the essentials: Zyrtek for the allergies, Benedryl for the rare allergic reactions, Ibuprofin for the headaches and Panadol Extra for the migraines. It’s just big enough to slip into your handbag and not be intrusive.

You can buy Altoids in Australia but they are very hard to find These are the king of breath mints. They’re not sweet or bitter. And they WORK. When we lived in Sydney, a friend sent a few Altoid smalls included in a care package. These boxes are a godsend for the handbag!

The smalls tin itself is about 2/3 the size of a regular Altoids tin (about 2″ x 1″, or 5cm x 2.5cm, in size), the mints themselves following suit in size. With the tin is empty, I added regular size mints to the tin. With the tin being super small, it makes it really easy to carry. I’m generally the one to offer a mint to anyone, stranger or not. I can’t deal with bad breath!

So there it is: The items I can’t live without when I travel.

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN:

So there it is. The stuff I can't travel without.

What’s in your essentials bag?

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About the author

Tara Marlow

Tara Marlow is the founder/writer/photographer/creative genius behind www.TravelFarEnough.com. In her late 40s, she is slowly travelling the world full time. She's ditched the desk, emptied the nest and now she's embarking on a new adventure to find herself in the world, inspiring others, like herself, to do the same. She's currently on a 10-month road trip through Australia. 2018 will take her to N.Z., the U.S., the U.K., Spain, and then… well, who knows?
You can find Travel Far Enough on the web, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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I've ditched the (corporate) desk, emptied the nest and now I'm on a Worldwide Solo Trek.

I'm currently in New Zealand. It's the first place on my worldwide trek, then I'm to the U.S., Iceland, the U.K., before walking the Camino de Santiago. When I've accomplished that (!), it's off to Japan, a few housesits and then, who knows.

I want to inspire you to take the leap to make changes in your life. Life really is too short to simply exist in your life.

Join the community and share your dream life with me. I'd love to help you get there.

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